London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1914
Annual report of the Council, 1914 Vol. III public health...
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Report of the County Medical Officer—Education.
in the second 6 months. There is then a big drop to the ear, nose and throat cases, of which 44 per cent,
obtain treatment during the first period and 38-5 per cent, of the remainder in the second period. The
reluctance of parents to face the inconvenience and trouble of operation accounts for the difference
between the number of these cases and those of defective vision obtaining treatment. Worst of all
are the cases of defective teeth. Of these 41 per cent, are found to be treated in the first 6 months
and 35 per cent, of the remainder in the second 6 months. But it must be remembered that these
figures relate exclusively to the cases found at medical inspections and that the schemes approved by
the Board of Education restrict treatment to the age group 6—8. When it is considered that adequate
provision does not as yet exist in London for dental treatment of the leaver age group, the results here
given may be looked upon as fairly satisfactory.
With regard to " other ailments," including all forms of defect for which the Council has made
no provision, 54 per cent, were found to have been treated at the end of the first period, and 44.8 per
cent, of the remainder at the end of the second period.
Table showing percentages of each class of defect treated by the time of the first re-inspection and percentages of the remainder treated by the time of the second re-inspection.
| Defect. | Re-inspection. | Treated. | No treatment required. | Still requiring treatment. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refraction, | 1st 2nd | 56.9 52.5 | 2.7 4.2 | 40.4 43.3 |
| Nursing treatment | 1st 2nd | 65.5 59.2 | 16.5 13.7 | 18.0 27.1 |
| Ear, nose and throat | 1st 2nd | 44.3 38.5 | 7.6 9.5 | 48.1 520 |
| Teeth | 1st 2nd | 41.0 35.0 | 4.7 77 | 54.3 57.3 |
| Other ailments | 1st 2nd | 54.1 44.8 | 20.1 17.0 | 25.8 38.2 |
| Total | 1st 2nd | 49.7 43.1 | 7.2 8.7 | 43.1 48.2 |
The result of the two re-inspections taken together is shown in the following table giving the numbers cured or still requiring treatment, per 100 cases of each defect referred for treatment.
| Treated and completely cured. | Cured naturally without treatment, or for observation only. | Treated but not completely cured. | Not treated and still requiring treatment. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refraction | 56.1 | 6.8 | 12.2 | 24.9 |
| Cases requiring nursing treat-ment | 57.7 | 24.5 | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Ear, nose and throat | 53.3 | 17.7 | 4.4 | 24.6 |
| Teeth | 48.9 | 10.2 | 5.9 | 35.0 |
| Other ailments | 38.3 | 39.2 | 12.4 | 10.1 |
| All cases | 51.3 | 15.3 | 8.6 | 24.8 |
If the cases of dental defect, which do not stand on the same footing as the others, be excluded
the total for all cases in the last column would be greatly reduced.
A comparison during 3 years of the children found to have received or to be in receipt of treatment,
by the time the first re-inspection was held, shows a steady increase in the numbers from 43-1
per cent, of the total in 1912 to 49 7 per cent, of the total in 1914.
Treatment no Not treated but
Treated. longer required. still requiring treatment.
1912 43-1 per cent. ... 12-0 per cent. ... 44-9 per cent.
1913 45-5 per cent. ... 9-2 per cent. 45-3 per cent.
1914 49-7 per cent.. 7-2 per cent. 43-1 per cent.
The percentages of total children treated who receive their treatment through centres and hospitals
with which the Council has made arrangements show a very considerable increase.
Percentages of total children treated under the Council's scheme :—
1912 38-9 per cent.
1913 46-4 per cent.
1914 56-2 per cent.
27715 P 2